Van's Air Force

The definitive Van's Aircraft support community! Buying, building or flying an RV? Join our exclusive family of mentors and enthusiasts!

Smoke puffs on rollout/taxi

pazmanyflyer

Well Known Member
I started having blue smoke from my engine in Feb and found I glazed my cylinders. My engine is an IO360M1B with new Superior PV cylinders installed at time of OH and with 173 tach hrs when glazing was found. Took them off and sent out for honing. Reinstalled with new Superior 9:1 pistons and new Superior rings and all new seals. I have 10 hours on them now. For break-in I've been running at 2500/25 @ 5K DA using Phillips 66 20-50 XC. Dynon showing 78-80% power. AircraftPower app confirms. I am still having puffs of smoke. Not at first start up, taxi, takeoff or during flight (that I can see on video) but I do on rollout after landing. All my temps and ranges are where they are supposed to be. CHT's actually dropped from 380's to 365's yesterday. Confirmed with this morning's flight so this is a good indication the cylinders are broken in. Oil consumption has tapered off but I will still watch that for the next several hours. Right now it's 1/4 qt for each of the last two 2 hour flights. I've been running rich to help with the temps but do lean when taxing so not to foul the plugs. I'm starting to get frustrated as why I'm still smoking. Videos links attached.

Ideas for areas of focus from those that know engines better than I would be appreciated. I'm not exactly new to engines, but I don't know what I don't know, and this is my first FI engine.

Video 1: No smoke during flight until rollout

Video 2: Taxi in after same landing (from hangar neighbor Iphone)

Dynon screen shot:
 

Attachments

  • 2026.06.07 - breaki-n Dynon screenshot.jpeg
    2026.06.07 - breaki-n Dynon screenshot.jpeg
    1.5 MB · Views: 16
Last edited:
1 qt in 4 hours is quite high. I would argue that the rings are not yet seated, though they should be at 10 hours or they are glazed again. Have you looked in there yet? Usually you can see glazing just by looking in one plug hole with a flashlight in the other. Also look for washboarding, a recent problem caused by faulty superior rings. This happened to me recently.

I would check for proper drainage in the rocker box tubes. If you only get blue smoke during low map, sometimes it is being pulled in from the valve guides. Would not see it after startup, but after running a while the box could be filling up.

Are you sure the smoke is blue? Black smoke would be from excessive richness at idle.
 
1 qt in 4 hours is quite high. I would argue that the rings are not yet seated, though they should be at 10 hours or they are glazed again. Have you looked in there yet? Usually you can see glazing just by looking in one plug hole with a flashlight in the other. Also look for washboarding, a recent problem caused by faulty superior rings. This happened to me recently.

I would check for proper drainage in the rocker box tubes. If you only get blue smoke during low map, sometimes it is being pulled in from the valve guides. Would not see it after startup, but after running a while the box could be filling up.

Are you sure the smoke is blue? Black smoke would be from excessive richness at idle.
Where did you get 1 qt for 4 hours? It’s 1/2 qt over the last 4 hours. 1/4 qt for each 2 hour flight. That’s what I’ve recorded for the past two flights. I’m at 2 qts total over the last 10 hours doing break-in.

It’s faint in the video but I’m told blue from the ground observers.

Drains are clear. I checked before installing honed cylinders.

Borescope pics:
 

Attachments

  • Image_2026-06-07 12_17_46_024.jpeg
    Image_2026-06-07 12_17_46_024.jpeg
    264.8 KB · Views: 62
  • Image_2026-06-07 12_19_22_991.jpeg
    Image_2026-06-07 12_19_22_991.jpeg
    198.7 KB · Views: 61
  • Image_2026-06-07 12_19_05_273.jpeg
    Image_2026-06-07 12_19_05_273.jpeg
    229.5 KB · Views: 58
  • Image_2026-06-07 12_16_05_499.jpeg
    Image_2026-06-07 12_16_05_499.jpeg
    233.8 KB · Views: 53
  • Image_2026-06-07 12_14_28_124.jpeg
    Image_2026-06-07 12_14_28_124.jpeg
    258.7 KB · Views: 53
  • Image_2026-06-07 12_14_20_705.jpeg
    Image_2026-06-07 12_14_20_705.jpeg
    246.3 KB · Views: 55
  • Image_2026-06-07 12_12_19_984.jpeg
    Image_2026-06-07 12_12_19_984.jpeg
    225.5 KB · Views: 54
  • Image_2026-06-07 12_11_45_913.jpeg
    Image_2026-06-07 12_11_45_913.jpeg
    243 KB · Views: 54
  • Image_2026-06-07 12_11_26_864.jpeg
    Image_2026-06-07 12_11_26_864.jpeg
    262.7 KB · Views: 51
  • Image_2026-06-07 12_10_47_759.jpeg
    Image_2026-06-07 12_10_47_759.jpeg
    248.7 KB · Views: 49
  • Image_2026-06-07 12_09_16_489.jpeg
    Image_2026-06-07 12_09_16_489.jpeg
    243.1 KB · Views: 47
  • Image_2026-06-07 12_08_35_318.jpeg
    Image_2026-06-07 12_08_35_318.jpeg
    256.8 KB · Views: 49
Where did you get 1 qt for 4 hours? It’s 1/2 qt over the last 4 hours. 1/4 qt for each 2 hour flight. That’s what I’ve recorded for the past two flights. I’m at 2 qts total over the last 10 hours doing break-in.

It’s faint in the video but I’m told blue from the ground observers.

Drains are clear. I checked before installing honed cylinders.

Borescope pics:
crosshatch patterns looks ok, so doesn't look like they're glazed. There's also light scoring, nothing to worry about according to the picture.
Some oil residue on the bottom of the cylinder, yes and no. If let to cool down and not ruin that borescope, that looks ok to me.

Now looking at that outside vid of your taxi in (and also the onboard cam) it looks more like the engine is not running regularly, but cuts-out shortly, which explains the puffs of black and blue smoke.

First I would do is confirm with the data off your Dynon (EGT, FF drop, FP fluctuations), and then to properly adjust the mixture settings, and whilst at it clean the fuel filters.
 
I'm just learning here.
1.Why did you replace the cylinders? Was it just because of the smoke color? Was there a problem with making power/compressions?
2. Why a mixed weight oil for break in? I recall using straight mineral oil per the book.
3. Are the cameras the problem? Do you have too much data that otherwise would be fine if you did not know?
 
Sounds and looks like a sticky valve at the stumble when he says, "blue".

Rich condition would be black.

How do all the plugs look?

Good walls and bad guide/s? Wobble check?
 
Where did you get 1 qt for 4 hours? It’s 1/2 qt over the last 4 hours. 1/4 qt for each 2 hour flight. That’s what I’ve recorded for the past two flights. I’m at 2 qts total over the last 10 hours doing break-in.

It’s faint in the video but I’m told blue from the ground observers.

Drains are clear. I checked before installing honed cylinders.

Borescope pics:
Sorry, misread as 1/4 qt for each of two 1 hr flights. 2 qts consumed during 10 hr break in is pretty normal.
 
Where did you get 1 qt for 4 hours? It’s 1/2 qt over the last 4 hours. 1/4 qt for each 2 hour flight. That’s what I’ve recorded for the past two flights. I’m at 2 qts total over the last 10 hours doing break-in.

It’s faint in the video but I’m told blue from the ground observers.

Drains are clear. I checked before installing honed cylinders.

Borescope pics:
Looks like just trace areas of glazing at top on one pic. Some pics are hard to tell what I am seeing, so can't say. Pooled oil is not too bad. I wouldn't worry about it untill 20 hours. Keep the power above 65% for another 10 hours. Good chance the walls may wear in a bit more and oil consumption will drop during that time.
 
Where did you get 1 qt for 4 hours? It’s 1/2 qt over the last 4 hours. 1/4 qt for each 2 hour flight. That’s what I’ve recorded for the past two flights. I’m at 2 qts total over the last 10 hours doing break-in.

It’s faint in the video but I’m told blue from the ground observers.

Drains are clear. I checked before installing honed cylinders.

Borescope pics:
I don't see enough oil in the cylinders to be creating blue smoke from that source, especially only at idle; it would be constant and likely not visible. I speculate that it is either a rocker box drainage issue or it is black/grey and from an excessively rich idle mixture. When the engine is cold, it wants a richer mixture, so not bad. Once hot, it wants a leaner mixture, so starts creating smoke.

On the assumption it is blue, Mostly think the rocker box is filling up with more oil than normal (moderate blockage) and as soon as you pull back to idle (strong vacuum) on roll out it is pulling that oil in passed the valve guides and burns. Used to see this all the time in the old days with cars when the valve seals wore out, though a different issue as heads were not horizontal.
 
Last edited:
I don't see enough oil in the cylinders to be creating blue smoke from that source, especially only at idle; it would be constant and likely not visible. I speculate that it is either a rocker box drainage issue or it is black/grey and from an excessively rich idle mixture. When the engine is cold, it wants a richer mixture, so not bad. Once hot, it wants a leaner mixture, so starts creating smoke.

Mostly think the rocker box is filling up with more oil than normal (moderate blockage) and as soon as you pull back to idle on roll out it is pulling that oil in passed the valve guides and burns. Used to see this all the time in the old days with cars when the valve seals wore out, though a different issue as heads were not horizontal.
Very possible a piece of trash got jammed in the 45* AN fitting on the cyl head while in the shop. Flows some, so no issue at higher MAPs.
 
crosshatch patterns looks ok, so doesn't look like they're glazed. There's also light scoring, nothing to worry about according to the picture.
Some oil residue on the bottom of the cylinder, yes and no. If let to cool down and not ruin that borescope, that looks ok to me.
Now looking at that outside vid of your taxi in (and also the onboard cam) it looks more like the engine is not running regularly, but cuts-out shortly, which explains the puffs of black and blue smoke.
First I would do is confirm with the data off your Dynon (EGT, FF drop, FP fluctuations), and then to properly adjust the mixture settings, and whilst at it clean the fuel filters.
Downloaded Dynon files yesterday. I'm thinking of using Savvy unless there is another software recommended to be better. This will be my first time using data to diagnose. I'll be learning more about and how to use/read this info this week.

I'm just learning here.
1. Why did you replace the cylinders? Was it just because of the smoke color? Was there a problem with making power/compressions?
2. Why a mixed weight oil for break in? I recall using straight mineral oil per the book.
3. Are the cameras the problem? Do you have too much data that otherwise would be fine if you did not know?
1. Cylinders glazed at 173 hrs. Still don't know why. Blue smoke is indication that oil is passing the rings. It was that and higher than normal oil usage. Power and compression were still good. A/P AI and engine builder confirmed scope of cylinders for glazing. The only way to solve that is to remove, deglaze (hone) the barrel and re-ring. That is what I did.
2. First time around I did use straight mineral oil. Still glazed. This time around I'm trying XC because suggested by many that it is also good choice for break-in oil.
3. I wouldn't think the cameras have any bearing on the engine issue. I did notice my oil usage was higher than normal but that, coincidentally, was at the day that my hangar neighbor mentioned it to me as I taxied past. I didn't know color it until it was brought to my attention. Then I filmed it.

Sounds and looks like a sticky valve at the stumble when he says, "blue".
Rich condition would be black.
This is my my experience from other planes.

How do all the plugs look?
I cleaned, gaped and tested all plugs 10 hours when the cylinders where reinstalled. I removed and inspected after this taxi in. I pulled the plugs again and yes a couple where wet so I thinking I'm still rich. I cleaned, checked gap again and retested all plugs. I did find one bad plug. That may/may not be the issue of the hesitation seen in the video. Pic of plugs after removal attached at the bottom.

Good walls and bad guide/s? Wobble check?
We checked when we cleaned and reinstalled all the valves. Nothing evident that there was an issue. Not to say it hasn't become one. I do have the wobble test on my to do check off list.

Nobody else said it, but I will. Beautiful landing with absolutely NO shimmy on the roll out. Impressive.
Thanks. It is one of my better ones. It was a good day to record video!

Sorry, misread as 1/4 qt for each of two 1 hr flights. 2 qts consumed during 10 hr break in is pretty normal.
No problem. I thought that might be the case.

Looks like just trace areas of glazing at top on one pic. Some pics are hard to tell what I am seeing, so can't say. Pooled oil is not too bad. I wouldn't worry about it until 20 hours. Keep the power above 65% for another 10 hours. Good chance the walls may wear in a bit more and oil consumption will drop during that time.
That's my plan as of right now. Keep flying high power for another 10-15 and watch.

I don't see enough oil in the cylinders to be creating blue smoke from that source, especially only at idle; it would be constant and likely not visible. I speculate that it is either a rocker box drainage issue or it is black/grey and from an excessively rich idle mixture. When the engine is cold, it wants a richer mixture, so not bad. Once hot, it wants a leaner mixture, so starts creating smoke.
On the assumption it is blue, Mostly think the rocker box is filling up with more oil than normal (moderate blockage) and as soon as you pull back to idle (strong vacuum) on roll out it is pulling that oil in passed the valve guides and burns. Used to see this all the time in the old days with cars when the valve seals wore out, though a different issue as heads were not horizontal.
Very possible a piece of trash got jammed in the 45* AN fitting on the cyl head while in the shop. Flows some, so no issue at higher MAPs.
I had read about this from your previous posts here on VAF. Because of that, I cleaned the cylinder ports, return drains, hoses and made sure the return passage at the case was also clear. I'll check again to be sure it has not blocked up since then. As a side note, I have also followed your MP method to set up the mixture. That went well before I had these cylinders R&R. I'll go through that process again.[/QUOTE]
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2637.jpeg
    IMG_2637.jpeg
    2.8 MB · Views: 18
Last edited:
Add 1 quart at a time.

Don’t put in 1/4 quart

Probably spitting it out.


6-5 then add quart

You will find the happy place for your oil level.


Boomer
 
Add 1 quart at a time.

Don’t put in 1/4 quart

Probably spitting it out.


6-5 then add quart

You will find the happy place for your oil level.


Boomer
She liked 5 1/2 qts before. I did start break-in with 6 quarts as I knew there will be areas that hold oil but have drained since engine work such as the oil cooler and galleys. I added 2 quarts since first flight with honed cylinders and currently sit at 5.5 again so I'm close to her sweet spot again. Will monitor.
 
How is your breather tube routed? Any chance that you have an AntiSplat crankcase vacuum system installed?
Up and over to FW where AS air/oil separator in mounted. I just installed the AS oil/air separator without the vacuum during this cylinder work.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2549.jpeg
    IMG_2549.jpeg
    2.5 MB · Views: 18
  • IMG_2546.jpeg
    IMG_2546.jpeg
    2.1 MB · Views: 16
  • IMG_2547.jpeg
    IMG_2547.jpeg
    1.7 MB · Views: 13
  • IMG_2550.jpeg
    IMG_2550.jpeg
    2.2 MB · Views: 14
  • IMG_2552.jpeg
    IMG_2552.jpeg
    2.1 MB · Views: 17
Downloaded Dynon files yesterday. I'm thinking of using Savvy unless there is another software recommended to be better. This will be my first time using data to diagnose. I'll be learning more about and how to use/read this info this week.


1. Cylinders glazed at 173 hrs. Still don't know why. Blue smoke is indication that oil is passing the rings. It was that and higher than normal oil usage. Power and compression were still good. A/P AI and engine builder confirmed scope of cylinders for glazing. The only way to solve that is to remove, deglaze (hone) the barrel and re-ring. That is what I did.
2. First time around I did use straight mineral oil. Still glazed. This time around I'm trying XC because suggested by many that it is also good choice for break-in oil.
3. I wouldn't think the cameras have any bearing on the engine issue. I did notice my oil usage was higher than normal but that, coincidentally, was at the day that my hangar neighbor mentioned it to me as I taxied past. I didn't know color it until it was brought to my attention. Then I filmed it.


This is my my experience from other planes.


I cleaned, gaped and tested all plugs 10 hours when the cylinders where reinstalled. I removed and inspected after this taxi in. I pulled the plugs again and yes a couple where wet so I thinking I'm still rich. I cleaned, checked gap again and retested all plugs. I did find one bad plug. That may/may not be the issue of the hesitation seen in the video. Pic of plugs after removal attached at the bottom.


We checked when we cleaned and reinstalled all the valves. Nothing evident that there was an issue. Not to say it hasn't become one. I do have the wobble test on my to do check off list.


Thanks. It is one of my better ones. It was a good day to record video!


No problem. I thought that might be the case.


That's my plan as of right now. Keep flying high power for another 10-15 and watch.


I had read about this from your previous posts here on VAF. Because of that, I cleaned the cylinder ports, return drains, hoses and made sure the return passage at the case was also clear. I'll check again to be sure it has not blocked up since then. As a side note, I have also followed your MP method to set up the mixture. That went well before I had these cylinders R&R. I'll go through that process again.
[/QUOTE]
Getting oil in the combustion area can either be left on the wall from ring issues or get there via valve / guide interface. The former would be constant burning of oil and it takes a LOT to create blue smoke. I don’t see anywhere near enough evidence to support that. Oil past the valves is more likely as it only occurs under high vacuum which is pretty classic. Given that is not likely given Your examination, I would consider the possibility that the smoke is from excessive richness. That can be caused by other issues beyond idle mixture. Maybe some issue that only goes rich when you pull back the throttle. Plugs show that idle was not rich at shut down, but doesn’t mean it didn’t go roch on roll out
 
Last edited:
Back
Top